The Sweater of Forgiveness

Well, we now have our heart’s closet filled with a whole new wardrobe that represents kindness, humility, gentleness, meekness, and patience! Don’t you agree that these new ‘outfits’ look much more radiant than the uncleanness, evil desires, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, filthy language, etc… we have recently thrown out?!

Now, it is time to consider a couple of accessory items! How about a lightweight sweater to carry with us wherever we go?  How about a ‘sweater of forgiveness’?

Colossians 3:13 now discusses the importance of maintaining a forgiving attitude. Last week we discussed the need for forbearing, or putting up with one another, as we looked at the ‘Suit of Long-Suffering.' As part of that forbearing attitude, comes the willingness to forgive. The motivation for this forgiveness is ‘simple’ enough, yet, so very difficult at the same time. Verse 13 concludes with the phrase, “...as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” It is a simple, plain, and direct statement. But don’t we start in with the “but, but, buts…”?

I like (I think I like) what Weirsbe says about Colossians 3:13. “It is not enough that the Christian must endure grief and provocation, and refuse to retaliate; he must also forgive the troublemaker.” OUCH!

Please take a moment to consider the following thoughts about true, Christ-like forgiveness.

As mentioned above, we are instructed to fully and completely forgive-as Christ did. That means to fully and completely forgive the person of the entire incident! No …BUTS… at the end of the “I forgive you” speech! 

We are instructed to forgive freely-as Christ did. We are to forgive without expecting anything in return-not even an apology from the other party. Once again, no …BUTS… at the end of our speech.

We are to forgive graciously-as Christ did. We are to forgive with a compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient attitude, as was seen in verse 12.

Although the incident may never be erased from our minds, the event should never be brought up, held against, or used against the other person in any way. Even when the incident ‘pops into’ our mind, it shouldn’t bring negative (remember malice from verse 8?) thoughts about that person. Before you start the “WHAT!?” thoughts, consider the following~~

This is exactly the way Christ forgave us. 

 

Our sins will never be brought up, held against us, or used against us in any way. Christ did not require anything on our part, except that we accept His forgiveness! He continues to love and care for us compassionately and patiently, even when we mess up. 

“…as Christ forgave you, so you also must do”

In addition to this verse in Colossians 3, you may also want to check out Ephesians 4:32, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”

My dear Mother-in-law commented after “The Suit of Long-Suffering”, “I don’t know that I can do that, Debbie. But, with God’s grace I can sure try!”  I bet that she, many of you, as well as myself, will be saying the same thing about “The Sweater of Forgiveness”!

BTW: I never said it would be easy!!! 

Debbie

The “Suit of Longsuffering”

We are about to complete our Colossians 3:12 wardrobe! I trust you decided to go ahead and get that ‘meekness dress’ we tried on last week! I think once you decide to wear it, you will receive many compliments! We all need to wear it more often!

Well, as tough as it was to add that to our heart’s closet, we now need to add that beautiful, yet hard to buy, ‘suit of longsuffering!’ Like meekness, it is difficult to make that characteristic a part of our lives. Yet, we are told to put it on as well.

Long-suffering is basically a word that is equivalent with patience. Wm. Mounce :  Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words defines it as delaying anger or punishment. 

Long-suffering and patience involves being willing to put up with the unpleasant and irritating traits of others.  The writers of Expositor’s Bible Commentary describe these twin traits as demonstrating self-restraint and having a steady, cool head in the face of provocation without resorting to retaliation (or desiring to resort to retaliation).  

Verse 13 introduces a similar trait referred to as ‘forbearance’. Mounce defines this as putting up with, tolerating, or overlooking differences through love and forgiveness.

Now that we know what the ‘Long-suffering and Forbearance Suits’ look like, we will have to decide if we want to slip into them. They are definitely difficult to put into practice! It is hard to put up with the unpleasant actions of others. It is hard to delay our anger when we are wronged or irritated. But adding this new ‘suit’ to our wardrobe undeniably makes us beautiful women in Christ.

And, just to throw this in~~I am sure each one of us is guilty of being unpleasant or irritating at one time or another. Isn’t it nice when the other person is wearing that lovely ‘suit of longsuffering and forbearance’ in front of us?

Are you wearing ‘long-suffering’ today?

Debbie

The Meekness 'Dress'

 

Well, we may feel like the ‘dress’ of gentleness, or meekness, we tried on last week is a little uncomfortable, or maybe unfashionable. We may be a little cautious about adding it to our closet.

Meekness? You mean I should make meekness a part of my life? Isn’t that a sign of weakness that allows others to walk all over me? I mean, I should be able to stand up for my rights~shouldn’t I??

We stopped here last week because meekness is often looked upon with a negative connotation.  In our culture today it is often considered to be a trait of weakness. But, let’s take a minute to really look closely in the mirror at ourselves wearing the ‘Meekness Dress'. When we look at the fine lines and details, I think we will find it quite attractive after all!

Meekness, or gentleness, is actually the opposite of self-assertiveness and pride, which are ‘outfits’ we have already thrown out of our heart’s closet. Meekness involves having a ‘delicate consideration’ for the rights and feelings of others. It has nothing to do with making ourselves a doormat for others. 

Romans 12:10 speaks of “preferring one another.” In other words, we are to give preference to the needs of others over your own needs or desires.  That is a perfect example of meekness. I used to tell my first graders that my ‘dream’ argument to have to break up would involve “you go first”, “no, YOU go first”… There is no ‘dishonor’ in that type of attitude.

Warren Weirsbe in his Colossians Bible Study, Be Complete, defines meekness as “not weakness, but power under control.” He describes it as a soothing breeze as compared to a destructive wind. Think about the power of the wind! Yet, it can also create a peaceful relaxing breeze on a lovely spring day!  We like the wind to be under control, don’t we? In the same way, we have the power of Christ behind us, taking care of us, avenging us when necessary, yet He expects us to be under control. Others should see a ‘breath of fresh air’ in us, regardless of our circumstances. Let God take care of the rest. We will see the same type of control factor next week when we look at the ‘dreaded’ longsuffering ‘dress.’ 

Don’t feel ashamed or too proud to wear the “Meekness Dress”.  In the grand scheme of God’s plan for your life, it may be the most attractive outfit you ever wear!

Word Studies taken from Expositor's Bible Commentary and Bible Knowledge Commentary 

Looking good! 

Debbie